Fourth Annual Asian Heritage Festival Set for May 13


	Fourth Annual Asian Heritage Festival Set for May 13 Festival showcases Asian communities in Iowa through food, music, art and history Des Moines, Iowa (April 30, 2006)—The public is invited to experience Asia in Iowa at the fourth annual Asian Heritage Festival, May 13 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Water Works Park in Des Moines. New features at this year's celebration include Polynesian dancers, a "weddings of Asia" fashion show and a juried art competition. The 12 Asian American "villages" representing their heritage through crafts, history, art and food are Cambodian, Chinese, Filipino, Hmong, Indian, Japanese, Korean, Lao, Nepalese, Pakistani, Taidam, Thai and Vietnamese. A full schedule of workshops, events and demonstrations is expected to draw 30,000 people. Festival favorites include dragon boat rides, martial arts demonstrations, ikebana flower arranging classes, cooking lessons and games and activities for children. Admission is free and on-site parking is available for $2 per vehicle. For more information about the Asian Heritage Festival, visit www.iowaasianalliance.com or call 515-309-6047. The Asian Heritage Festival is organized by the Iowa Asian Alliance, a professional business organization that represents and promotes the business, economic and community development of a united Asian American community in Iowa. This year's festival co-hosts are ABC Virtual Communications, Toyota of Des Moines and Polk County Board of Supervisors. Other festival sponsors include American Family Insurance, BRAVO Des Moines, John Deere, Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Pioneer, State Farm Insurance, Nationwide, Citigroup, Press-Citizen Shopper and Principal Financial Group. According to the 2000 census, there are 13,614 Asian Americans in the greater Des Moines area, comprising 3.5 percent of the area's population. Statewide, about 43,000 Asian Americans reside in Iowa. The 1,700 Iowa businesses owned by Asian Americans contribute nearly $273 million to the economy and make up 32 percent of Iowa's minority-owned businesses. ABOUT THE IOWA ASIAN ALLIANCE The Iowa Asian Alliance is a professional, non-profit organization dedicated to growing Iowa through a united Asian American community. IAA represents 18 Asian American community associations. Originally founded in 2002, the Iowa Asian Alliance promotes the business, economic and community development of Iowa's Asian American community. The group represents the 15 Asian communities within the state, and also works to increase community awareness of their cultural and economic contributions. Press Contact: Melanie Vaccaro Iowa Asian Alliance (515) 309-6046 melanie@iowaasianalliance.com